John Ratcliffe, the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, is preparing to take a larger role in Washington’s negotiations involving Russia and Ukraine, according to a report by the Financial Times on Wednesday.
The reported change would mark a greater role for the US intelligence chief in the diplomatic effort. The Financial Times said US officials had informed their European counterparts that Ratcliffe’s involvement in the talks was expected to expand.
The report did not set out the scope of any new responsibilities for Ratcliffe, when they would begin, or what negotiations between Washington, Russia and Ukraine are under way. It also did not explain why European counterparts were briefed about the reported plans.
Liz Lyons, a CIA spokesperson, disputed the account in a post on X. She called the report “false”.
The denial leaves unclear whether the CIA rejects the report in full or disputes particular elements of it. Neither the reported briefing to European counterparts nor the details of Ratcliffe’s possible role were independently confirmed in the information available.
The conflicting accounts come amid reports of changes to US diplomatic and intelligence roles in efforts concerning Russia and Ukraine. Any expanded involvement by Ratcliffe would signal a shift in the way Washington is organising its engagement, but the CIA’s public response means the status of such a move remains uncertain.
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